Release Notes 0.1.0 (and a project update)

I have just released the 0.1.0 version of Private Dick: Lipstick & Lies.

Today's update is mostly about housekeeping. I've added SFW options (for streamers) to this build so that I can close down the SFW demo. my itch profile is getting very undity.

I've also made some improvements to Faceparty, enriching the experience for future.

The original Kickstarter demo will remain online, as a sort of archive or record, for the time being.  Ongoing development will continue on this branch.

Release Notes

This release is all about tidying things up and setting the future direction for the project.

Changes for this 0.1.0 release:

• Added an option to disable adult content. This is intended mostly for streamers. Nudity is disabled and a clear warning is shown before a sex scene starts. This can be changed at any time.
• Added a better "drill down" or "zoom in" to social media images
• Added some hover interactivity to social media pages
• Added support for comments to social media
• Added support for text messaging (nothing visible yet)
• Updated disclaimer because I am anxious about springing NTR content on people

Project Update

As most readers are probably aware, the Kickstarter for Private Dick failed last week. You can read more about it in this devlog.

I am continuing development while seeking additional funding - that probably means working part-time on something else, and part-time on the game.  I need to work out a way to pay the bills while still moving the project forward (I am not keen on using Patreon, or an equivalent, for reasons I've outlined elsewhere and may duplicate here, but not today. Basically I don't think it's a fair deal for me or my backers).

Things are moving forward though: I've commissioned a bunch of new artwork and booked time with a composer to sort out the soundtrack in mid-August (really excited for this!). 

Future of this Demo

Now that the Kickstarter has failed, I have a little bit of a problem.

I want to continue to develop this game in the open, sharing updates and changes as they happen. I enjoy this side of development, I value feedback from players, and it's the cornerstone of my marketing strategy.

I would also like to earn enough money to enable me to create the next game. I want to work on it full-time, to focus all my energy on it, and to be able to afford talented artists to draw rich, exciting content.

That means I can't release all the new content here for free: I need to hold the story back so that there is a "premium" build available on digital storefronts. 

So I need to strike a balance. I will be improving this demo, adding more and better assets, music, some better UIs, some sharper scripts. Meanwhile I'll be pushing forward with new content that won't get released here.

So the content of the demo right now is going to stay fairly constant. I need to do something about June because I've accelerated her storyline to fit the demo. But otherwise the demo won't get longer or have new stories. But it will continue to receive updates.

Why 0.1.0? 

You can learn a lot about a game - or any piece of software - from its version number. I use "semantic versioning" for my numbers and every number is loaded with meaning.

Generally in Semantic versioning we use an MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH numbering scheme. A major version is a landmark release, with big changes that significantly alter the experience of the game. A minor version increase is a significant change still. For me it usually means a new feature, a UI overhaul, or a new storyline. Finally the last number, the patch version, usually just represents a bugfix or a very small change.

The first retail release of Private Dick will be 1.0.0, which will represent the finished game. I very much doubt there will be a 2.0.0 release, unless the graphic style gets completely replaced or something like that, but there is likely to be sequel.

Private Dick has already been on a bit of a journey:

• I released a number of alpha-level releases to this page, numbered 0.0.X.
• These releases got less and less alpha-y as the quality got better, content got filled in, and features added
• I released a Kickstarter demo as 1.0.0 release because, well, that was the finished Kickstarter demo, so a 1.0 release felt right.

Development is now resuming on this page, but I've decided to promote the game away from its alpha status and start incrementing from a 0.X.0 version. This better reflects the quality and completeness of the current build.